How to Force Kdenlive to Interpret Video at 24 FPS

Working with variable frame rates (VFR) or mismatched footage in Kdenlive can lead to audio desynchronization and playback stuttering. This article provides a direct, step-by-step guide on how to force Kdenlive to interpret and convert any specific video clip into a constant 24 frames per second (FPS) using its built-in transcoding tools.

Step 1: Import Your Clip into Kdenlive

Open Kdenlive and drag your target video clip into the Project Bin (the top-left window pane where your project assets are stored).

Step 2: Access the Transcode Menu

Because Kdenlive does not have a simple “Interpret Footage” toggle like some other video editors, the most reliable way to force a constant 24 FPS is by transcoding the file.

  1. Right-click on the video clip inside the Project Bin.
  2. Hover over or select Transcode to Edit Friendly Format.

Step 3: Configure the Transcode Settings for 24 FPS

A new dialog box will appear. To force the clip to a constant 24 FPS:

  1. Select a high-quality, edit-friendly codec from the list (such as DNxHR-HQ or ProRes).
  2. Look at the encoding parameters box at the bottom of the window. You will see the FFmpeg command line string used for transcoding.
  3. To manually force the frame rate to exactly 24 FPS, click on the Edit (pencil) icon next to the profile to customize the parameters.
  4. Add the following argument to the FFmpeg command: -r 24 (or -r 24000/1001 for standard NTSC 23.976 fps).
  5. Click OK to apply and start the transcoding process.

Kdenlive will generate a new, constant frame rate (CFR) clip at exactly 24 FPS and automatically replace the original clip in your Project Bin.

Step 4: Align Your Project Settings

To ensure the newly transcoded 24 FPS clip plays back perfectly without any frame dropping or interpolation:

  1. Go to the top menu and select Project > Project Settings.
  2. Under the Custom tab, choose a 24 FPS profile (such as HD 1080p 24 fps).
  3. Click Apply.

Your video clip is now locked at a constant 24 frames per second, eliminating any sync issues on your timeline.